Dirty Home, Yard Brings $1,900 Fine

May 4, 1986|By Tom Pinnock of The Sentinel Staff

CASSELBERRY — A Casselberry woman has been fined $1,900 for having a dirty home and yard that violated city housing codes.

However, officials said during a code enforcement board hearing Thursday night that as long as Constance Priest, 541 Lilac Road, complies with the city standards she will be required only to pay $500 of the fine.

That money is due within the next 30 days. Officials also made it clear that if the property falls below city standards within the next year that Priest must pay the full fine.

Priest could not be reached for comment.

Homeowners on Lilac Road began complaining in 1981 about overgrown grass and weeds, an old automobile kept in her driveway and odors coming from inside the house, city officials said.

Records show that Priest made some repairs, but complaints escalated in 1982 and 1983 when neighbors again reported high grass and weeds, stacks of garbage at the front door, clothes and furniture piled in the driveway and at one time a horse. Officials also said Priest's swimming pool had not been cleaned and had become blackened with algae.

At one point Priest was given 10 days to clean up the yard, but not much was done. The code enforcement board began charging her $20 a day, a fine that was to continue until she complied with city standards.

The city did not pursue payment because Priest appealed in 1982 to the Seminole County circuit court. In February, Judge C. Vernon Mize Jr. ruled against Priest and said the city could fine her for violations as far back as 1981.